Wesley Corpus

To clear up this, there needs only a closer inspection of our Articles and Homilies; wherein justifica tion is always taken for the present remission of our sins. But many are the objections which have been warmly urged against the condition of justification, faith alone; particularly in two treatises, the former entitled, “The Notions of the Methodists fully disproved; ” the second, “The Notions of the Methodists farther disproved: ” In both of which it is vehe mently affirmed, (1.) That this is not a scriptural doctrine; (2.) That it is not the doctrine of the Church of England. It will not be needful to name the former of these any more; seeing there is neither one text produced therein to prove this doctrine unscriptural, nor one sentence from the Articles or Homilies to prove it contrary to the doctrine of the Church. But so much of the latter as relates to the merits of the cause, I will endeavour to consider calmly. As to what is personal, I leave it as it is. “God be merciful to me, a sinner!” 2. To prove this doctrine unscriptural,--That faith alone is the condition of justification,--you allege, that “sanctifi cation, according to Scripture, must go before it: ”To evince which, you quote the following texts, which I leave as I find them : “Go, disciple all nations,--teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matt. xxviii. 19, 20) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark xvi. 16.) “Preach repentance and remission of sins.” (Luke xxiv. 47.) “Repent, and be baptized every one of you, for the remission of sins.” (Acts ii. 38.) “Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” (iii. 19.) “By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Heb. x. 14.) You add, “St. Paul taught ‘re pentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ; (Acts xx. 21;) and calls “repentance from dead works, and faith toward God, first principles. (Heb. vi. 1.)” You subjoin : “But ‘ye are washed, says he, “but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified. By ‘washed, is meant their baptism; and by their baptism is meant, first, their sanctifi cation, and then their justification.” This is a flat begging the question; you take for granted the very point which you ought to prove. “St.